My Conservation Area Matters

Updated 14 February 2018

The concept of conservation areas was introduced in England, Wales and Scotland by the Civic Amenities Act 1967.

Reading Celebrates the Anniversary.

On 16 & 18 June  lecturer and local historian Dr Margaret Simons,  led walks of two of Reading’s central Conservation Areas:

  • Forbury Gardens, the Abbey Quarter, Market Place and London Street Conservation Areas.) (From the Maiwand Lion to the Dark Side)
  • St Mary Butts, Castle Street and Southampton Street. (Bibles,bags, beer and books)

These walks were repeated over Heritage Open Weekend in September.

89 people took part over both events.The walks were commissioned by Reading Civic Society working with Reading Conservation Area Advisory Committee.

Linked walks were also run of the Whitley, Katesgove and St Peter’s Caversham.

Background

Civic Voice, the national Charity of the Civic movement is holding the Big Conservation Conversation in 2017 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Conservation Areas being established. Groups around the UK are being encouraged to raise awareness of conservation areas and for communities to come together to say My Conservation Area Matters.

Civic Day, 17th June 2017, was Civic Voice’s focus to celebrate 50 years of conservation areas.  They encouraged groups to set up, and participate in, local and national events to recognise how conservation areas have helped keep many of our towns distinctive.

Civic Voice plans to keep a focus on Conservation Areas during 2018.